Saddle-pad



(No Model.)

A. H. LARKIN. SADDLE PAD.

Patented Oct. 22, 1895,.

' .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW H. LARKIN, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

SADDLE-PAD.

,SPECIFICATON forming' part 0f Letters Patent N0. 548,372, dated October22, 1895.

Application tiled November 18,1893. Serial No. 491,326. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that l, ANDREW H. LARKIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in SaddlePads; and Ido hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, which will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same. My inventionrelates to pads which are placed under harness-saddles; and it consistsin certain improvements providing for ventilation and adjustability.

My improved pad is shown in the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is atransverse longitudinal section through the line 1 2 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the frame orwire.

a a are two pads, separate but similar, which may be of thick felt orlike substance. This is stitched upon the sides and outer end, as shownin Figs. 1 and 2, to the leather backs b b. This back consists of asingle thickness of leather, except at the upper halves, where it may bedouble, as shown in Fig. 1, the two thicknesses being stitched togetherat the sides and at the lower edge of the shorter piece, thus formingapocket or pouch c. (See Fig. 1.) The back may be formed also of a doublethickness of leather throughout, stitched as shown in Fig. 2, the pocketbeing formed as before. Of course rivets may be substituted forstitching. Thetwo pads c a are united and held together by means of thewire frame d, which isinserted into the pockets c c, and there securedby the stitching e e, the outer rows of the stitching being that whichsecure the edges of the back to the pads. The frame d conforms ingeneral shape to the back of the horse, and though made of stid wire issufliciently elastic to yield to the movements of the horse. The rearloop f between the parts of the frame may be rectangular, while theother or front loop g is preferably curved. (See Figs. 2 and 3.) Thelower part of the back b is provided with a strap and buckle h, which,like the frame d, should be substantially of the width of the saddle.The upper or inner parts of the pad and back are preferably out out upona curved line, as shown in Fig. 1. The pad instead of being cut from athick piece of felt may be made by stitching an inner surface of leatherto the back and filling the pockets thus madewith partithus affordingother means for keeping the pad in place, while the distension of theloops by the saddle has a tendency to raise the outer ends of the framed. The space between the upper edges of the pads a a and the saddlepermits the air free access to the back of the horse underneath thesaddle-tree. The pad can be adjusted to inequalities on either side ofthe backbone by placing felt or cotton or similar substance in' thepocket or pockets o c to equalize the sides. Thus constructed andapplied the pad keeps the saddle from contact or pressure upon thebackbone, permits ventilation beneath the saddle, and is fitted to theinequalities of the back.

What I claim is- 1. A pad for harness saddles consisting of a wire frameconforming in general outline to the shape of the back of the animal,the central portion of said frame consisting of two upwardly projectingloops, pads ot' felt or similar substance, connected with said frameupon either side and an open space between said pads, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a pad for harness saddles, a frame of wire conforming in generaloutline to the shape of the back of the animal, pads of felt or similarsubstance, having leather backs stitched thereto and thereby secured tosaid frame, an air space between the upper part of said pads, thecentral portion of said frame projecting upwardly above said pads andforming loops, substantially as described.

3. In a pad for harness saddles, a frarnepf wire conforming in generaloutline to the back of the animal, pads of felt or similar IOOsubstance, having leather backs stitched frame, an air space betweensaid blocks,straps thereto, said backs being secured to said attached tothe outside of said pads and open frame, an air space between the upperedges pockets upon the outside of said pads, subis of said pads and openpockets in said pads i stantially as described.

5 whereby said pads are rendered adjustable, i In testimony that I claimthe foregoing as substantially as described. l my invention I havehereunto set my hand 4. A pad for harness saddles haviugin comthis 13thday of November, A. D. 1893.

bination, substantially as described, an elas- T tic frame of Wireprovided with central loops Ah DREW H' LARKIN' 1o through which theWater hook and back strap In presence ofof the saddle may pass, blocksof feit. orsimi- GEO. E. BIRD, lar substance attached to either side ofsaid A. C. BERRY.

